When it comes to finding a new home, choosing the right homebuilder is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Ashton Woods and Lennar are two of the largest and most well-known builders operating across the United States today.
But how do you decide which one is the better fit for your needs?
This comprehensive guide will compare Ashton Woods and Lennar across a variety of factors so you can make an informed decision when selecting your homebuilder.
We’ll look at company history and reputation, construction quality, design styles, customization options, sustainability features, amenities, smart home technology, warranties, and more.
Whether you’re looking for a production home withpopular features or a fully customized luxury property, understanding the key differences between Ashton Woods and Lennar will help you find the ideal homebuilding partner. Let’s dive in!
A Brief Comparison Table
| Aspects | Ashton Woods | Lennar |
| Locations | 17 states across South, Midwest, Southwest, West Coast | 19 states nationwide |
| Home types | Single-family, townhomes, condos | Single-family, townhomes, condos, apartments |
| Positioning | Luxury custom homes | Affordable production homes with popular features |
| Construction quality | High-end details and finishes, in-house framers | More value-focused, uses subcontracted framers |
| Design styles | Traditional, Craftsman, European, Modern | Traditional, Craftsman, Modern Farmhouse |
| Floor plans | Extensive customization available | Flexible personalization options within set floor plans |
| Green building | Green build certification available. Not a major focus. | Lennar SolarTM, Elements Collection®, and other green options. Major focus on sustainability. |
| Smart home tech | Upgraded options available. Not a major focus. | Wi-Fi CERTIFIEDTM Home Design standard. Extensive smart home tech available. |
| Warranties | 10-year structural warranty. Additional 1-year limited warranty on defects. | 2-10 Home Buyer Warranty. Additional 1-year limited warranty on defects. |
| Amenities | Luxury standard and optional finishes, features. May include golf course, pool, clubhouse based on community. | More mass market features. Some communities have amenities like parks and community centers. |
This table provides a high-level overview. Next, we’ll explore these key differences in more detail.
Key Differences Between Ashton Woods And Lennar
Construction Quality
One of the biggest factors homebuyers evaluate is the quality of construction. You want reassurance that your home will stand the test of time. There are a few key differences between Ashton Woods and Lennar when it comes to build quality:
- Framing approach: Ashton Woods uses in-house framing crews, while Lennar relies on contracted framers. In-house teams often take more pride in their work.
- Attention to detail: Ashton Woods emphasizes luxury details like higher ceilings, extensive moldings and trim, and upgraded appliances. Lennar offers nice finishes too, but focuses more on nailing the basics affordably.
- Customization: With Ashton Woods, you can customize most aspects of your home’s layout, finishes, features to your taste. Lennar offers flexibility with structural changes only within certain predefined options.
- Quality assurance: Both builders provide quality assurance inspections throughout the process. Ashton Woods may have an edge with more direct control over framing and details.
Overall, Ashton Woods offers higher-end construction quality with more customization flexibility, while Lennar provides very solid construction with more limited structural customization.
Design Styles
Beyond quality, home design and style preferences are also key. Here’s an overview of the most popular design styles offered by Ashton Woods and Lennar:
- Ashton Woods focuses on Traditional, Craftsman, European (Tuscan, French Country, etc), and Modern home designs.
- Lennar offers home styles including Traditional, Craftsman, and Modern Farmhouse. Their floor plans tend to have an open, functional flow.
Ashton Woods skews toward more ornate, customized design features while Lennar’s styles feel a bit more mass market. But both offer appealing design aesthetics that buyers love.
Green Building and Sustainability
Green building and energy efficiency are becoming increasingly important to today’s buyers. Here’s a look at what Ashton Woods and Lennar offer:
- Ashton Woods has Green Built certification available on homes for an added cost. But sustainability is not one of their major branding focuses.
- Lennar has made sustainability a true priority. Their Lennar SolarTM, Elements Collection®, and other initiatives strive to make energy efficiency, water conservation, and waste reduction standard in their homes.
So while you can get green features with either builder, Lennar has made a much bigger brand commitment to eco-friendly housing.
Smart Home Technology
Smart home tech is red hot lately, letting homeowners control features like lighting, security systems, media and more from their smartphones and digital assistants. How do Ashton Woods and Lennar compare on tech offerings?
- Ashton Woods will equip your home with upgraded tech features if you choose to add them. But it’s not a major part of their standard package or marketing.
- Lennar has partnered with Amazon and Apple to make their Wi-Fi CERTIFIEDTM Home Design standard. You’ll find extensive built-in tech like Echo Dots, Ring doorbells, wireless access points and more at Lennar communities.
Lennar has gone all-in on seamlessly integrated smart home tech, while Ashton Woods offers it as more of an add-on upgrade.
Amenities
The amenities available at new home communities can add a lot to your lifestyle. Ashton Woods and Lennar take different approaches here:
- Ashton Woods luxury communities may offer high-end amenities like golf courses, clubhouses, pools, and concierge services tailored to upscale buyers. Not all locations have extensive amenities.
- Lennar communities often provide appealing parks, playgrounds, recreation centers, and other facilities to bring residents together. But you generally won’t find elaborate golf courses or private clubs.
Ashton Woods amenities cater more exclusively to luxury tastes, while Lennar focuses on creating affordable neighborhood hubs.
Choose based on the lifestyle you want.
Warranties and Customer Service
The warranties and customer service each builder provides can give you peace of mind. Here are some key differences:
- Ashton Woods offers a 10-year structural warranty and a 1-year limited warranty covering defects and workmanship.
- Lennar provides third-party 2-10 Home Buyer Warranty coverage, plus a 1-year Lennar limited warranty. Some buyers prefer an unaffiliated third-party warranty provider.
Both builders have programs to address and resolve homeowner concerns, but Lennar’s independent warranty may appeal to some buyers. Inspecting the fine print is advised.
Pricing and Home Values
Of course, pricing is always an important factor. Here’s an overview:
- Ashton Woods homes range from around $300,000 on the low end to over $1 million on the high end, focusing exclusively on the move-up and luxury markets. The average price is around $500,000.
- Lennar offers a wider range starting under $200,000 for more affordable, entry-level homes but also reaching $1 million+ at the top end. The average home price is between $350,000 to $400,000.
While there is some overlap, Ashton Woods pricing skews higher while Lennar has greater range. But average home values in a given community are also impacted by location.
Resale Value
Maximizing your home’s future resale value is always a consideration. Homes by both Lennar and Ashton Woods tend to appreciate well and sell quickly when cared for properly. Ashton Woods’ luxury cachet may give them an edge, but Lennar communities also attract buyers. Local market conditions play the biggest role in determining resale value.
Locations and Footprint
Where you can actually buy a home from each builder is another key point. Let’s compare their geographic footprints:
- Ashton Woods has communities in 17 states: AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MN, NC, OH, SC, TN, TX, WA, WI. They’re concentrated most heavily across the Southeast and Texas.
- Lennar has the largest national presence, operating in 19 states from coast to coast. Their largest state footprint is in Florida.
So Lennar will give you more geographic flexibility overall. But Ashton Woods still offers regional options across a sizable portion of the U.S.
Home Types
The range of home types available is another consideration. Here’s an overview:
- Ashton Woods focuses on single-family detached homes but also offers townhomes, duplexes, and low/mid-rise condos depending on location.
- Lennar provides single-family homes (detached and attached), townhomes, condos, duplexes, and apartment communities. Lennar’s apartment division gives them an edge for renters.
Both provide diverse housing types tailored to community demand. But Lennar’s apartment communities cater to renters as well as buyers.
Buying Process and Customization
The homebuying and customization process also differs between builders:
- Ashton Woods empowers buyers to fully customize their home’s layout, finishes, features, and more. But this flexibility means a longer buying process with intensive upfront planning compared to more production-built homes.
- Lennar offers personalization within the parameters of pre-set floor plans and structural options. This streamlined approach makes for a quicker buying process but less robust full-home customization ability.
Ashton Woods is the clear choice if you value complete structural customization. Lennar offers simplicity and speed by customizing only within planned parameters.
Resident Satisfaction
Current and past resident satisfaction ratings can give helpful insight into builders:
- Ashton Woods earns strong reviews for quality construction, beautiful design, and customization flexibility. Complaints are less common but occasionally involve miscommunication around custom changes.
- Lennar also garners largely positive feedback though some buyers report minor finish or appliance issues reflecting their more production-focused approach. Their streamlined process and great value receive praise.
Both builders earn nice reviews overall, but Ashton Woods higher level of customization does come with more extensive coordination that increases chances for confusion if not managed well.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
There is no definitive “most reliable” home builder. Ashton Woods and Lennar are both leading national brands with solid reputations for quality and service. Ultimately, reliability depends on the specific community and team you are working with, not just the broader builder brand. Do your research to understand quality, value, and satisfaction before choosing a home builder.
Based on number of homes sold annually, Lennar is currently the largest homebuilder in America. But D.R. Horton, Pulte Homes, and other builders also rank very highly for sales volume. When it comes to luxury custom homes rather than volume, Ashton Woods could be considered a leading choice. But there is no official ranking system designating an “#1 homebuilder.”
Ashton Woods is part of The Landsea Homes Corporation, a publicly traded homebuilding company (NASDAQ: LSEA). While Landsea owns and operates the brand, Ashton Woods continues to function as a distinct business focused on luxury custom homes.
No, Ashton Woods and Starlight Homes are separate home building companies. Ashton Woods operates primarily in southeastern and western states while Starlight Homes builds homes across Florida. Ashton Woods is owned by Landsea Homes while Starlight Homes is an independent private builder. The two companies have no corporate relationship.
Wrapping Up
When choosing between Ashton Woods and Lennar, weigh factors like:
- Home type, price range, location priorities
- Construction quality preferences
- Design style and customization needs
- Sustainability and technology features
- Amenities and neighborhood lifestyle
- Warranties and customer service approach
Overall, Ashton Woods excels at luxury custom homes with high-end details and finishes. Lennar offers streamlined processes for more affordable yet solid new construction housing across diverse home types.
Understanding these key differences allows you to select the right fit based on your budget, goals and preferences.
Whichever builder you choose, understand all details about the home, community, sales process, and warranties. Ask current residents about their experience as well. This helps ensure your new home builder meets all your expectations and fits your lifestyle needs.
